Missing Jesus
It has been 2 months since we have moved and Boston is feeling more and more like home! Being two very southern people, we still stick out like a sore thumb. However, praise God that we stand out! When going places, I naturally want to shrink and hide, going with the natural flow of the city. It has been hard in that aspect! With Garrett, on the other hand, he is so true to himself. I love how God made him to be a leader, to not shy away, to ask hard questions, and press into being uncomfortable to show kindness and the love of Jesus. One day we were leaving a store and he sounded EXTRA country that day saying, “Thank Y’ALL so much! We ‘preciate Y’ALL!” The employees gave a startled, confused look. I tucked my head down and couldn’t get out the door fast enough! We had a good laugh, but I knew that God was wanting to root up something deep inside of me. God has been rooting up insecurities, deep fears, and pride. Although pruning can be painful, I am so thankful. God called us to Boston to die…to die to ourselves and become more like Him. To live in deeper intimacy with Jesus. To hear His voice and live out what/who He has called us to do/be.
Looking at who Jesus is in Luke 7, shakes me to my core. In verses 11-16, He STOPS a funeral procession.
Can you imagine that happening today? It would seem disrespectful and socially wrong! In this context, a widow’s only son had died, meaning she had no one to provide for her. She was alone and heartbroken.
“His heart overflowed with compassion.”
Jesus proceeds to touch the coffin and speak to the dead boy to get up and the boy sat up and began to talk. People were in awe. Are we willing to break social norms to stop a funeral procession and act out of compassion? Maybe it is not actual funeral, but it is someone dying in their sin. Are we going out of our way to speak life to someone or to show them true love and grace that Jesus extends to all of us?
What if it makes us look crazy?
Will we let Jesus’ compassion for His people push us to go the extra mile, to look like a fool to the world to reach the one?
In verses 36-50, an uninvited, sinful woman comes into the house of a Pharisee to anoint Jesus. Her perfumes and oils were expensive and in a beautiful alabaster jar. She weeped at Jesus’ feet and washes his feet with her tears and wipes the tears with her hair. The Pharisee is disgusted and says to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!” Jesus tells the story of a man who loaned two people money and neither of them can repay. One had a lower debt and the other had a much higher debt. The man forgives them both and cancels both of their debts. Jesus asks the Pharisee, “Who do you suppose loved him more after that?” The Pharisee responds, “The one who had the larger debt.” Jesus looks at the woman and honors her. She showed Him great love because He had forgiven her and her debt was paid.
Would I have seen her the way Jesus did? Do I care when Jesus is in the room? Do I treat Him as she did?
I can be prideful like the Pharisee because I think I have my life together and I miss Jesus completely. I don’t want to miss Jesus right in front of me. Ephesians 5 gives direction on living in the light. Verse 15-18 says, “Be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
I want more of the Holy Spirit, I desperately need Him. Without Him, I miss Jesus right in front of me. I miss opportunities to love others like Him and I miss opportunities to serve and honor Him. I need Jesus’ compassion that moved Him into action and I need to daily reflect and recognize my need for my Savior, who has forgiven me for so much.
Whoever finds themselves reading this, we pray that Jesus speaks to you through Luke 7. Luke 7 shakes us every time we read it, we see more and more of who Jesus really is and who He has called all of us to be! He calls us to be like Him. The word “Christian” comes from the Greek word “christianos” and it means to be “little Christs.” That means people who choose to believe in and obey Jesus’ teachings and strive to live a life like He did.
